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Basketball, Sports

The All-Canadian March Madness team

by Gabe Nisker on

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For years, Canadian basketball fans have hoped that U Sports teams will get a chance to participate in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament. For now, however, they will have to settle for watching the best local talent lead American schools to victory. Ahead of this week’s Round of 64, The McGill Tribune has compiled a list of the top Canadian athletes to keep an eye on.

PG Luguentz Dort (Freshman); Arizona State

The Montreal-born guard drives hard to the basket, and he is driving up NBA teams’ draft boards, too. As a dynamic scorer for the 11th-seed Arizona State Sun Devils, Dort averaged 16.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists this season. He is a strong athlete with a six-foot-nine wingspan, and, because of his excellent defensive fundamentals, he can guard almost anyone on the floor.

SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Sophomore); Virginia Tech

Alexander-Walker’s all-star play has been key to his Virginia Tech Hokies’ outstanding season. The Toronto native will likely join his cousin Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a 2018 Los Angeles Clippers lottery pick, in the NBA next season. A talented athlete capable of playing multiple positions, Alexander-Walker will shine thanks to his steady ball-handling and versatility.

SF R.J. Barrett (Freshman); Duke

Barrett has had a stellar first campaign in the NCAA. The Duke freshman, who is a consensus top three pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, is averaging 22.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists thus far and was named to the Associated Press All-ACC team. The 18-year-old from Mississauga, Ontario, and his star-studded Blue Devils squad hope to take home the title in April, but they will have to escape a tough East region first.

PF Ignas Brazdeikis (Freshman); Michigan

Brazdeikis is one of college basketball’s most entertaining characters. The second-seeded Michigan Wolverines have silenced their opponents’ crowds all season with big wins during road games. The six-foot-seven forward from Oakville, Ontario has played a key role in the team’s success. The Lithuanian-Canadian puts his personality on full display: He blows kisses to opposing fans and flexes after big shots. With him, Wolverines games are must-see television this March.

C Kyle Alexander (Senior); Tennessee

Alexander hopes that he and his second-seeded Tennessee Volunteers will head to Minneapolis in early April for the tournament’s Final Four. Their path in the South region will be tough, and it will take a team effort to advance: The six-foot-eleven athlete from Milton, Ontario plays an important role under the basket for Tennessee. He averages 7.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game and is often tasked with guarding the toughest players that the Volunteers’ opponents have to offer.

Sixth Man: PF Mfiondu Kabengele (Sophomore); Florida State

Kabengele, NBA Hall-of-Famer Dikembe Mutombo’s nephew, earned the 2019 All-ACC Sixth Man of the Year award and for good reason: The six-foot-ten forward from Burlington, Ontario came off the bench and averaged 12.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Kabengele has astonishing defensive instincts, and fourth-seed Florida State will rely on his shot-blocking ability as they look to advance out of the West region.

Basketball, Sports

Playground pickup with NBA stars

by Adam Burton, Alec Regino, Chiso Ufondu, Ender McDuff on

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Basketball can take on many forms: Professional play, at the playground, five-on-five, two-on-two, and even one-on-one. But one thing basketball players cannot do is play themselves. The McGill Tribune sportswriters wondered, if it were possible, which NBA players would be the most fun to watch challenge themselves in a one-on-one matchup.

Larry Bird

Adam Burton

Watching Larry Bird play himself would be riveting, not only for his all-around dominance on the offensive end of the floor, but also because of his unrivaled trash-talk. ‘Larry Legend’ once told Seattle Supersonics forward Xavier McDaniel exactly how and where he would shoot over him and followed it up by hitting the game-winning shot. Larry Bird versus Larry Bird would be a supreme battle with incredible shots, fierce defence, and brash trash talk. In a physical matchup, fans might get to watch one of the most entertaining games in basketball history.

Kobe Bryant

Adam Burton

Kobe Bryant is one of the most renowned two-way players of of all time. Touting that he has never lost a game of one-on-one, Bryant would finally meet his match when facing himself. His trademark ‘mamba mentality’ would give way to the most competitive game of one-on-one ever, packed with contested fadeaways, ankle-breaking crossovers, and maybe even some morale-destroying dunks. Considering Bryant’s tenacity on the defensive end, he might not ever get a shot off on himself. NBA fans everywhere would be keen to find out.

Kevin Durant

Ender McDuff

In today’s NBA, there is one player that should be on fans’ minds for a one vs. one: 2013-2014 MVP Kevin Durant. Listed at six-foot-nine with a seven-foot-four wingspan, Durant is a force of nature. The small forward possesses the speed and ball-handling of a guard, one of the league’s best jumpers, and incredible footwork, all while being an elite defender and shot blocker. Basketball fans have seen hints of Durant’s one-on-one prowess before: In 2018, Durant beat the rest of the world’s best ballers during Team USA training camp. No other player has the physical tools necessary to stop Durant, so it would be interesting to see the star meet his match in himself.

Russell Westbrook

Chiso Ufondu

Russell Westbrook, the 2016-17 league MVP, is known in the NBA for his relentless playing style and is widely regarded as one of the top point guards in the league. With an explosive first step, Westbrook blows by his defenders, and, as an aggressive offensive player, he would not hesitate to use such power against himself to get to the rim off the dribble. His aggressiveness on offence could be his downfall, however, as, when matched with a good defender, such as himself, he can commit offensive fouls. Considering his poor shooting abilities, the defensive Westbrook would be able to back off while defending and prevent drives to the basket. However, he tends to gamble on defence, going for steals which could lead to his opponent speeding right by him for an easy bucket.

Tony Allen

Alec Regino

Some may not remember ‘The Grindfather,’ better known as Memphis Grizzlies legend Tony Allen. There are few who could match his grit on the defensive end; his ability to bully opposing players is so renowned that Kobe Bryant considers Allen the best defender he has ever faced. However, it is Allen’s offence, that makes this matchup so entertaining. With a solid, but not standout, average of 8.1 points per game for his career coupled with an atrocious 28 per cent three-point shooting, this defensive slugfest is not for the faint of heart. It would be a grind—and that is just the way that Allen likes it.

 

Student Life

Resources for Muslim students mourning Christchurch

by Abeer Almahdi on

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For many students, March 15 was a day of mourning: 50 people were killed in a terrorist attack targeting two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Although New Zealand may seem distant, for Muslim students, the fear of Islamophobic violence hits close to home, and it still permeates campus life. Grieving after international or even local tragedies is an incredibly isolating experience; however, it is still a part of many students’ lived realities, especially Muslim, racialized, or international students. For Muslim students still learning how to cope with this tragedy, The McGill Tribune has compiled a list of resources that may provide help, support, or a safe space to mourn.

McGill Racialized Student Support / Students of Colour at McGill

McGill Racialized Student Support is a Facebook group with over 450 members. This group serves as a virtual resource for racialized students, offering them a safe space for discussion, posts, and questions. Students can come to this forum to exchange advice, share relevant events, or just to vent. For students of colour who may feel isolated on campus, this group can give Muslim students a place to comfortably share their feelings in a supportive environment.

The Muslim Students’ Association

The Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) provides regular spaces for Muslim students to come together and find community, including weekly Jum’uah (Friday) prayers, discussion circles, social events, and workshops. In the past, they have also held events including an Islamic Geometry workshop, a Q&A with Muslim Law students, and Iftar dinners for Ramadan. On March 18, they co-hosted a vigil for the Christchurch victims at the Y-Intersection.

Naseeha Helpline

Naseeha is a hotline that provides an “anonymous, non-judgemental, confidential and toll-free peer-support helpline” centred around supporting Muslim youth across North America. However, anyone can access their services regardless of religion. For Muslim students, a hotline with the express purpose of listening to their lived experience is particularly helpful, especially regarding issues of discrimination, culture, and mental health. Naseeha is available daily from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. (EST) at 1.866.NASEEHA.

Online mental health resources

Dealing with the emotional stress of grieving can take a major toll on students’ mental health. For those who do not want to seek in-person help from counselling services, online resources can make seeking help more accessible. For example, Empower Me connects students with qualified counsellors, consultants, and life coaches. Under the Student’s Society of McGill University’s health plan, students have access to telephone counselling, video-counselling, and e-counselling services. Empower Me is available 24/7, year-round, and is confidential and faith-inclusive. Another option is 7 Cups, which also serves as an online chat service that connects individuals with volunteer counsellors. Additionally, 7 Cups has a ‘Young People of Color’ support network with over 5,020 members.

Student-run resources

Besides online resources, McGill student volunteers run organizations on campus dedicated to mental health support. McGill Students’ Nightline offers a “confidential, anonymous, and non-judgmental listening service” for students, including a chatline for online support. The resource runs from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. every night. The Peer Support Centre which provides an in-person listening service for students. Student-run resources like Nightline and the Peer Support Centre provide free and accessible options for students to receive support without leaving campus.

 

Private, Science & Technology

Women role models hope to inspire students in STEM

by Zoe Doran on

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The McGill Students Chapter for Scientista and McGill Women in Leadership Students’ Association hosted their third annual Women in STEM Panel and Roundtable event on March 12, welcoming a set of eight accomplished scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. The panellists proved as adept at inviting discussion as they are at conducting research. The event encouraged an open dialogue in which students and experts shared their professional and personal struggles as women in the fields of science and technology.

The event provided an opportunity for women, people of colour, and other marginalized students’ identities on campus to network with established professionals in science and technology fields. They were able to express sentiments of solidarity and community, and seek advice for addressing the multitude of obstacles that disadvantaged students in STEM fields face. In an email to The McGill Tribune, Danielle Nadin, the co-director of Scientista McGill, vouched for the importance of creating inclusive spaces where STEM students can share stories and connect over similar experiences.  

“One thing we really want to do with Scientista is reduce isolation and help students who feel marginalized find their allies,” Nadin said. “We didn’t want a glossy, formal, inaccessible panel. We wanted to create a space where people felt comfortable sharing their experiences.”

Ensuring representation and advocacy for students of colour and women becomes more complex in PhD and master’s programs, as the increasingly independent work may intensify feelings of isolation. Even at the undergraduate level, the experience of being a visible minority is not an uncommon one, especially for engineering students. During the Fall 2018 semester, only 31 per cent of undergraduate engineering students identified as female. This is a particularly significant minority when considering the almost 60 per cent female-identifying students collectively enrolled at McGill.

A recurring sentiment among the panellists was that of imposter syndrome, or unwarranted feelings of self-doubt in positions of leadership. The speakers explained how ordinary workplace challenges are heightened when a person finds themself to be one of few women, non-binary, or people of colour in the lab or classroom.

For many students, this challenge manifests as a constant struggle for representation in their respective fields. To Meryem Benslimane, an equity education advisor at the Office for Social Equity and Diversity (SEDE), representation and connections with mentors can make all the difference for marginalized students in STEM.

“[It’s important that everyone] sees real people and role models,” Benslimane said. “ Especially for women, […] this representation is so important”.

For Elena Lin, a co-director of Scientista McGill, while the event’s success showed progress, it also illuminated the potential for future advancement for women and other marginalized groups in science and technology.

“The evening also revealed just how direly women and minorities in STEM fields need a voice of their own,” Lin said. “There is so much for all of us out there, and we hope that safe spaces can be continually created for everyone in STEM so that everyone can reach their full potential in their respective fields.”

Looking beyond McGill, many of the panellists emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for youth, especially girls in STEM. Without introductory programs in primary and secondary schools, careers in science and technology may seem out of reach for young women.

One panellist, Vanessa Cherenfant, a Montreal-based entrepreneur, industrial engineer, and self-proclaimed ‘STEMinist’, spoke about current initiatives to increase intersectionality in predominantly male and white disciplines. Cherenfant praised Technovation, a Montreal non-profit organization which connects scientists, engineers, and technology professionals with children from underrepresented groups to expose underprivileged youth to the possibility of careers in STEM fields.

From primary school classrooms to universities, it is clear that there is room for the greater involvement of women in STEM. Events such as this one are one means of creating an inclusive space.

Student Life, The Viewpoint

Viewpoint: Seeing Montreal from a fresh perspective

by Burcu Konuralp on

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Montreal was where I always envisioned myself living during university; it has multicultural influences and its people are welcoming. Interestingly, it was not until a visit to New York that I fully understood why I enjoy my time here: Although it is one of Canada’s most densely-populated cities, I appreciate the calm and relaxed lifestyle the city still manages to offer its dwellers.

After surviving my first Montreal winter as an international student, I decided to use reading week as an escape to relax and travel. Spontaneously, I visited my cousin in New York, and spent six days wandering around the city, going to museums, and eating out. It was not my first time in New York; however, I feel like, each time I return, I rediscover the city and what it has to offer all over again. This time, as a new university student, I imagined what it would be like to study there instead of in Montreal.

On my second day in New York I woke up early, ready to conquer the streets. It was around eight a.m., rush hour, and the streets were filled with people commuting to work. Everyone was in a hurry, but it seemed like they were used to rushing, as nearly every passing individual ate their breakfast, drank their coffee, and speed-walked in formal business attire. It was, without a doubt, a normal morning routine for New Yorkers. As the day passed, I expected to see fewer people, yet, surprisingly, the streets were always teeming with people running around.

Later that day, I found a highly-rated restaurant and brought along a book to read. I was surprised by how exhausted I felt, and when the food arrived, I finished it in seconds. I realized that I had forgotten to enjoy my time sitting and eating; rather, I felt like I was rushing through all of the activities that I scheduled. I was confused, angry, and dissatisfied.

My remaining days in New York passed similarly, and, when I returned to Montreal, I was relieved by the city’s comparatively slow pace. After only spending six days in New York, I was surprised that my perception of the city had shifted so dramatically.

I noticed that, in New York, people tend to live faster, without fully appreciating the present moment. A simple morning routine, such as leaving one’s apartment and walking to the metro, can make people appreciate their time, but New Yorkers were more focused on the next step of their daily agendas, instead of enjoying the present moment. They were prone to disregarding the simple pleasures in life. Although achieving goals can make people feel happy, experiencing life in real time is what I need in order to feel fulfilled.

When I returned to school, I was more appreciative of Montreal’s calm and easy-going atmosphere. Although students often feel pressured to do more and keep up with work in university environments, our city offers students the opportunity to live a slower, and from my experience a more satisfying, life. I am glad to be a student in this city because I feel alive, tranquil, and present. I am excited to explore what more the city has to offer in my remaining years at McGill.

Arts & Entertainment, Film and TV

‘Queer Eye’ is in desperate need of a makeover

by Kevin Vogel on

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On March 15, Netflix released a third season of its feel-good makeover series Queer Eye. Based in Kansas City, the eight new episodes retread familiar ground: Five well-dressed gay men storm into the lives of some beleaguered individual and, through the power of a haircut, group hugs, and pep talks about self-love, all of the person’s problems are solved. While this format compels viewers to laugh along with the Fab Five’s shenanigans and enjoy warm-and-fuzzy moments, the show’s predictably neat endings circumvent frank realities of class and sexuality. Viewers never see any real acknowledgement of why a makeover recipient eats exclusively instant ramen or only wears a broken pair of shoes, nor do they get to see what happens in a person’s life after their Queer Eye episode. The show’s sappiness can be just as infuriating as it is life-affirming.

These shortcomings are made all the more aggravating by the show’s wasted potential. The subjects of each episode all have incredible stories, from dads struggling to get by to a pair of sisters running a barbecue joint. Yet, despite the variety of personal narratives explored, Queer Eye prescribes the same glib solution for everything: Love and take time for yourself. Though this sentiment is not inherently problematic, in relying so heavily on this mantra, the show sweeps larger issues under the rug.

In their makeover for Joey, a divorced father and recovering alcoholic, the Fab Five buys him a whole new wardrobe and refurbishes his home to make him look more like a ‘cool’ dad. For Deborah and Mary Jones, owners of a barbecue restaurant, they pay for Deborah’s dental surgery and set up a deal with a bottling company to mass-produce the Jones’ signature sauce. In both of these episodes, Queer Eye presents the cause of their subjects’ problems as an internal issue, suggesting that they simply needed to look within themselves to find room for personal growth. In the Queer Eye universe, Joey doesn’t wear ragged clothing or live in a rundown RV because of class or financial issues; he simply lacks the self-love needed to improve his life. The Jones sisters failed to bottle their own sauce not because operating a restaurant already demands so much of their time, but because they lacked the confidence to get their product out there.

While it is admirable that Queer Eye promotes self-care and self-love, it refuses to look beyond these platitudes. The show indulges in the fantasy that a visit to the salon and a whole new wardrobe are the only obstacles to happiness. Moreover, most people can’t afford to completely refurbish their homes and businesses. When Tan France, the show’s fashion expert, gives new outfits to Jess, a young lesbian living off of a waitress’ salary, she is visibly ecstatic about her new look. Tan gives her a leather biker vest to try on, asking if she would buy it: “Absolutely. If it was in my price range.” Queer Eye quickly ignores the statement, cutting immediately to a different scene.

And what about the ‘queer’ part of Queer Eye? Despite having an entirely gay main cast, discussion of sexuality, with the notable exception of Jess’ episode, remains limited. The show offers plenty of valuable discussion about body-positivity and resisting gendered beauty norms, but still feels like just another reality TV show marketed more for straight people in the middle and upper class than actual LGBTQ+ people. Instead of showcasing the diversity of queer identities and experiences, Queer Eye is rife with corporate sponsorships and product placements and hardly gives any camera time for expressions of queerness outside of Jonathan’s flamboyance.

If viewers can move beyond Queer Eye’s surface-level solutions, the show provides a pleasant form of entertainment. You can still laugh at its cheesy jokes, but just know that a French tuck and a new haircut won’t help people living below the poverty line.

 

Campus Spotlight, Student Life

Mapping McGill’s campus

by Leyla Moy on

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On Feb. 20, McGill’s student-run Open Mapping Group (OMG) partnered with Right to Campus to enjoy some mapping and hot chocolate. Participants at the event amassed data for what will become the Interactive Accessibility Network (IAN), a navigation service that serves students with disabilities on McGill’s Downtown and MacDonald campuses. Last month’s event marked OMG’s third gathering of the semester and caps off the group’s first year of collaborating with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) to create the IAN. The club, which was founded by a group of geography students focuses on bringing people together to map in a relaxed environment.

“OMG, in general, is interested in promoting the use of open-source mapping software,” President Max Noiseux said.

Currently, the group is making use of open-mapping software by working on the IAN at the OSD’s request; however, last year, the group’s focus was on mapping in support of international humanitarian causes, which, Noiseux called its ‘essence.’ An earlier mapathon event enlisted students to update the map of Khaipur, Pakistan in an effort to empower local students and community members to petition their government for infrastructure improvements. At the club’s launch on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day 2017, OMG emphasized the need for open mapping and its vital role in humanitarian work. Their aim of contributing to publicly sourced and available geographic information served to empower international political movements and has evolved to support local accessibility advocacy as well. Early events also contributed to the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOTOSM), an international open mapping group that aggregates user-generated data on OpenStreetMap, an editable public world map, that contributes to humanitarian response and economic development.

“[HOTOSM focuses on] essentially mapping areas where data is going to be used for natural disaster aid or projects that […] governments have been working on to increase data availability in their countries,” Noiseux said.

In the past year, OMG has stepped into a supporting role to Chris Liang, the project coordinator of the IAN who is tasked with mapping out accessibility points on campus. This year’s events have focused on mobilizing the student population to help acquire geographic data and raising awareness on campus about the existence of the IAN project. The focus on the IAN has put OMG’s international humanitarian roots on the back burner; however, their core drive to empower disadvantaged communities with free geographic knowledge has remained a constant throughout the group’s existence.

“We’re still committed to finding opportunities to promote open geospatial data in all spheres,” Noiseux said.

The distinction of publically collected data is an important one. OMG contributes to OpenStreetMap (OSM), which resembles Google Maps but is open-sourced—similar to Wikipedia in that anyone can contribute to the collaborative, editable world map. OSM can provide more detailed geographical information through the input of a wider range of contributors representing diverse interests, making it a richer resource for users to research an area’s accessibility. Additionally, it contributes to the democratization of map data: OSM is both available to the public and rooted in volunteer-generated information. While Google Maps provides information at the discretion of their parent company, OSM provides a platform for user-sourced data that benefits the community more broadly.  

Enlisting McGill students to help develop routes on campus was a natural progression from a focus on open-source mapping. Now in its fourth semester of existence, OMG aims to  diversify events, expand, and get the word out to students from departments and faculties outside of geography. This academic year, they have also held a mapping party and a map crawl—a bar crawl where participants mapped features  along the way.

“We try [to make mapping] a bit more fun [to] attract people who might not [usually] be interested in mapping but might want to see it in a more casual way,” Noiseux said.

OMG McGill currently operates as a small group, but hopes to raise greater awareness about their various collaborative, open-source mapping projects through both typical and out-of-the-box events. Weekly meetings, usually held on Friday from 4 to 5 p.m. in Burnside Hall 512, are open to anyone on campus interested in learning about mapping, and the group welcomes students from outside geography. Through its collaborative work, OMG’s ongoing project contributes more than geographic knowledge; it connects with issues of democracy and accessibility that resonate on campus and beyond.

A previous version of the article incorrectly stated that OMG holds weekly meetings on Wednesdays. In fact, their weekly meetings are held on Mondays. The Tribune regrets this error. 

Private, Science & Technology

Blunting your mental resilience

by Andras Nemeth on

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Legalized in October 2018, cannabis is becoming an accepted part of mainstream society. However, researchers from McGill and the University of Oxford suggest that its effects may not be as well-understood as commonly believed. Their analysis has garnered international attention for linking cannabis use to depression and suicide risk in adolescents and young adults. According to Gabriella Gobbi, an associate professor in McGill’s Department of Psychiatry and lead author of the paper, the study’s widespread reception is partially out of concern for how marijuana usage is affecting the young demographic.

“Cannabis is mostly a drug used by adolescents and young people,” Gobbi said. “In each country we have this same trend. Everybody is very curious about Canada. A lot of countries are looking at Canada as it moves [toward legalization to see] its consequences.”

A team of 11 researchers worked on the study, which consisted of a meta-analysis of other studies looking at the effects of cannabis on depression in youth. They hand-picked 3,000 papers on the topic, covering a total of over 23,000 human subjects.  The investigation, which controlled for individuals suffering from depression before having used cannabis, concluded that young adults between the ages of 18 and 32 who had smoked cannabis regularly before the age of 18 had a 40 per cent increase in risk for depression, a 50 per cent increase in risk for suicidal ideation, and a 300 per cent increase in risk for attempting suicide.

Gobbi’s lab previously researched the specific neurological effects of cannabis on developing brains in rats in 2010. Even so, Gobbi was particularly surprised at the new results showing a link between cannabis use and suicidality.

“The [link with] depression didn’t surprise me […since] some studies had already found this association,” Gobbi said. “What surprised me was the suicidality because [the link between] suicidality and cannabis was not so known. Actually, we found that, even in people not at risk of suicide before consuming cannabis, there was an increased risk.”

Following the publication of the study, Gobbi was invited to testify as an expert before the Quebec National Assembly in connection to the current Quebec government’s proposed Bill 2, which would raise the legal age to purchase and consume cannabis from 18 to 21. While not particularly in support of resorting to raising the legal age, Gobbi hopes the dangers of cannabis will be taken seriously.

“The problem is that right now, a guy who is 18 can, in one day, buy 30 grams at 30 per cent [tetrahydrocannabinol],” Gobbi said. “That is enormous. So if at least we can limit the quantity of cannabis available at this age, that would [be] substantial [….] People ask me whether I am for prohibition or legalization, but this is a bad question because, between prohibition and legalization, there are a lot of steps.”

Rather than raising the legal age, a recent proposal from the Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec (INSPQ) recommends a policy of ‘gradual access’ in which increasing amounts and different products would be made available incrementally after the age of 18.

“The omnipresence of underground marijuana sales networks and already high levels of cannabis consumption among those aged 18 and over prompt one to ask themselves if other options permit us to send a clear message without the risk of punishing or criminalizing young adults,” the report reads, translated from the original French. “The examples of Quebec’s Programme d’accès graduel à la conduite (PAGC) and certain Scandinavian countries’ graduated access to alcohol offer promising possibilities.”

According to Gobbi, misinformation about the nature and effects of cannabis continues to be widespread.

“There is a lot of ignorance about cannabis,” Gobbi said. “Cannabis stays in your brain for one week or more, so [some] people believe they are not addicted [because] they can stay away for one week [….However] the withdrawal symptoms start one week or ten days later, and sometimes people don’t perceive them [or] link them to cannabis.”

McGill, News

McGill receives $1.8 million to reduce its carbon footprint

by Helen Wu on

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McGill has received $1.8 million in funding from the Canadian federal government’s Low Carbon Economy Fund (LCEF) for three projects aimed at lowering the university’s carbon footprint. Catherine McKenna, Canada’s minister of Environment and Climate Change, visited McGill on Feb. 22 to announce the decision.

“The federal government is partnering with McGill University, where McGill will receive up to $1.8 million under our Low Carbon Economy Challenge,” McKenna said. “We challenge businesses, universities, hospitals, and schools around Canada to come up [with] solutions that will reduce emissions, and McGill came up with a very practical solution.”

According to Interim Director of Utilities and Energy Management Jerome Conraud, McGill’s greenhouse gas emissions totalled 56,004 tonnes in 2017. With the LCEF funding the decarbonization of McGill’s energy systems, that number is expected to be reduced by 18 per cent. The first project, which will take place during summer 2019 at the Gault Nature Reserve, will convert all remaining oil heating boilers on the site to electric ones. Once the conversion is complete, Gault’s only source of greenhouse gas emissions will be its fleet of vehicles.

The second project, set to take place during summer 2020, consists of replacing one of the four natural gas boilers in the downtown campus powerhouse with an electric one. The space freed up through this change will accommodate the third project, the installation of a heat recovery system, during summer 2021.

Conraud explained that carbon dioxide and methane, by-products from burning natural gases, contribute to global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere. Since electricity in Quebec is not generated by burning natural gases, converting McGill’s energy systems to electric will significantly reduce the institution’s carbon emissions.

“In the United States and Alberta, for instance, the electricity they consume comes mainly from coal or natural gas,” Conraud said. “Instead of using dams, as they do in Quebec and [British Columbia], or instead of using windmills, they burn coal or oil or natural gas, and that generates a lot of carbon dioxide.”

McGill’s high energy consumption is a product of its research capacity. Conraud pointed out that most of the power is dedicated to ventilating the university’s labs.

“What consumes [the] most energy at McGill is research labs,” Conraud said. “We do have a lot of research labs. We have fume hoods, and because we need to constantly evacuate contaminants in the air so that people can work safely in labs, we have high ventilation rates.”

McGill Climate Officer Ali Rivers believes that the LCEF will play a key role in helping McGill realize its Vision 2020 sustainability strategy, particularly its long-term goal of carbon neutrality by 2040.

“We would’ve converted one of those boilers at some point down the line, but it would have been more on the long-term goals,” Rivers said. “This is so great because the sooner we do these conversions, the sooner we are reducing our legacy footprint. Once that electric boiler is installed, 8,600 tons of CO2 will be reduced every year.”

Rivers referred to McGill’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory 2017, which includes comparisons between McGill and other Quebec and American universities. McGill’s level of 1.02 tons of carbon dioxide emitted per student in 2017 might appear modest compared to Harvard University’s 9.20 tons per student; however, the University of Montreal proves to be even more carbon friendly with carbon dioxide emitted per student at only 0.59 tons.

“Generally speaking, McGill has a higher relative footprint per student and per square foot than other Quebec universities mainly due to size and research intensity,” Rivers said. “But, we have a lower footprint than all of our American peers, and that is a result of our electricity grid, which is renewable.”

Rivers suggested that McGill staff and students can make choices everyday such as carpooling, taking public transit, and turning off electronics that are not in use to help reduce their personal carbon footprint.

News, SSMU

SSMU sanctions over 100 clubs

by Jacqueline Yao on

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Since the start of Winter 2019, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) has been enforcing stricter regulations on its member clubs, sanctioning around 100 according to SSMU VP Finance Jun Wang. Although SSMU sent an email to member clubs on Feb. 18 with a reminder of regulations governing student groups, several clubs and services allege that they were not given sufficient warning or were sanctioned before the email was sent.

To remain in good standing, SSMU clubs must fulfill criteria by submitting audited financial reports, attending training workshops, adhering to SSMU and McGill policies, and informing SSMU of off-campus events 20 days prior to their start date. Clubs and services must list SSMU as the legal entity when signing contracts with parties external to McGill and must request insurance for any events held outside the SSMU building. Since the SSMU building is currently closed for renovations, all events are held elsewhere and, therefore, require insurance through SSMU.

Around 100 clubs have reportedly failed to abide by SSMU policies and were denied access to their bank accounts, barred from booking venues, and subjected to status revision. Wang contends that SSMU did not have the capacity to enforce many of these regulations before transitioning to a centralized bank account in fall 2018, which has allowed it to view clubs’ financial statements and keep track of all their activities.

“Over the summer, the Club Auditor [Richie Youm] and the Comptroller [Desmond Rodrigues] created a comprehensive auditing process to make sure that [clubs undergo] a real audit rather than just [SSMU] checking [clubs’] number of receipts,” Wang said. “Prior to [the bank centralization], we did not have the information or structure to say if clubs did something wrong [….] This year, because we have the resources, we found a lot of [club financial] activities to be very much sanctionable.”

The McGill Polish Students’ Association (MPSA) is one of several SSMU clubs whose members hold that they were unfairly sanctioned. In August 2018, MPSA signed for a food permit from the Montreal government to sell food at Polski Piknik Montréal, a Polish festival. After receiving a payment demand from Régie des marchés agricoles et alimentaires du Québec, SSMU froze the club’s bank account until the end of the semester for signing the contract. MPSA President Ryszard Kubinski expressed frustration over MPSA being sanctioned without warning and believes that, due to high turnover among club executives, SSMU should devote more resources toward making enforceable regulations clear.

“When I was handed down the club, I knew that we had to attend finance workshops, but there was no mention of [regulations about entering into] contracts,” Kubinski said. “We are not running around trying to break all these regulations, we are just trying to have a small Polish community at McGill.  If you are going to have a sustainability workshop, you should have a workshop for the rules that you are going to enforce.”

Another SSMU club, which wished to remain anonymous, was sanctioned for signing a contract and not submitting insurance information for its event in February. The co-presidents of the club believe that the regulations were applied inconsistently and that SSMU’s tightened controls will present logistical obstacles for the club’s operations.

“It’s […] not fair because a lot of clubs that were planning events at the same time and didn’t launch yet were able to get SSMU to sign the contracts,” one of the club’s co-presidents said. “But, for us, since we had already publicized our event, SSMU said that we got sanctioned. It is really not advantageous to us if every single event we do, and we have events every month, requires one to two months in advance of notifying SSMU.”

Wang maintains that SSMU’s inability to enforce regulations in the past does not excuse clubs who have recently violated SSMU policies.

“When I sit down with [club executives] and explain the situation, I feel that most understand why [I can’t waive their sanctions],” Wang said. “I have yet to waive a sanction I deemed was appropriate because I don’t want to set a dangerous precedent.”

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